How Many WWI and WWII Vets Are Still Alive?

World War I & II Veterans: Fewer Every Year

As time marches on, the events of World War I and World War II fade into the past. Those who experienced these devastating wars firsthand are dying each year, and soon there won't be anyone left to tell their stories. After all, WWI was fought between 1914 and 1918, and WWII went from 1939-1945. How many WWI and WWII vets are still alive?

• Veterans Day: 11/11/11
  

How Many World War I Vets Are Still Alive?

There is only one verified WWI veteran left alive. Her name is Florence Green, and she served in the Royal Women's Air Force from 1918 through 1919. She is now 110 years old. The last combat veteran, Charles "Chuckles" Choules, died at age 110 in July 2011.

(Jozef Kowalski, Poland's oldest living veteran and oldest living man, period, joined the army just after WWI ended, though he fought in WWII. He is 111 years old.)

How Many World War II Veterans Are Still Alive?

There are roughly 1.7 million surviving American World War II veterans. According to the VA, WWII vets are dying at a rate of around 740 per day. Perhaps the most famous American vet to die recently was Major Richard "Dick" Winters, whose leadership of the 101st Airborne's Easy Company was immortalized in Band of Brothers.

Wikipedia's list of notable surviving WWII veterans is a good point of departure, but must not be considered exhaustive.

If you know a veteran of World War II, or if you have one in your family, consider having them contact StoryCorps.